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Panthers swarm around UNB goalie Omer
Despite falling behind early in both games, the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers swept the University of New Brunswick Red Devils last weekend, increasing the Panthers’ chances of finish- ing in first place in the Atlantic Universities Athletic Association Hockey Con- ference.
On Sunday, Randy Muttart scored at the 17:09 mark of the third period to break a 4-4 deadlock, giving the Panthers a 5—4 victory over the defending AUAAHC champions at the Charlotte- town Forum.
Greg Gravel who set up Muttart in the slot for the winning goal, assisted on four Panther goals and was named Player of the Game.
UNB opened the scoring early in the game on a power play after Gravel picked up a penalty twenty seconds into the game. UNB’s Bill Mac- Donald (T. Balcom, A. Lewis) redirected a point shot into the UPEI goal behind a surprised Dave Reid at 1:47.
UPEI had several good scoring opportunities in the
first period but hit the post on several occasions. As well, Gordie Roche was robbed twice as he pelted a couple of close-ranged shots at UNB goalie Omer Fournier.
At 19:14 of the first period, UPEl’s Kevin Skilliter blased a shot from his point position on a delayed penalty call against the UNB team to give the P’s a tie going into the second period.
UPEl outshot the Red Devils in the first period 14-12.
Mark Welton set up John Leblanc on the doorstep of the Panther goal as he slid the puck across the crease behing Reid at 2:35 and then at 4:49 Albert Roche (R. Carragher, B. MacDonald) finished off a pretty three-way passing play to time the game at 2-2.
Norman Beck gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead at 19:32 of the second period, as he was left all alone at the side of the UNB goal and put in Gordie Roches’s rebound in.
Bob MacDonald opened the scoring early in the third period; while falling down, MacDonald managed to beat Fournier from the slot.
Hockeyater SUCC‘eSS l .
UNB scored two more times, Mark Welton at 6:36 to the third and Robbie Forbes on a disputed 2 line pass. Apparently Mark Jeffery touched the puck while it was in the air and most people didn’t see it.
Both games were penalty filled with Referee Wade Bower handing out about twenty-five minor penalties in each game, including a couple of game misconducts and two or three major fighting penalties.
The Panthers honored five graduating players Sunday who were playing in their final home game as Panthers: Dave Reid, who played goal for the victory, along with Norman Beck, John Butler, Bob MacDonald and Doug Currie. ‘
The “old guys” played very well despite their canes! Bob MacDonald played a heady game, scoring one goal and forechecldng very strongly, as well as taking. a regular spot on the penalty killing line.
Norman Beck scored once, and it looked as though Beck had the OLD stuff back from
GENTLE/"AIME _ "II§X E
GENTLEMAN JIM’S KMARrPLAZA
Fournier-Sunday at the Forum. (Photo:
' his younger years.
MacLeod)
Currie was out for -- v r , fighting; Butler and Reid were indescribable. '
Mike Hovey, defenceman for UNB, who was involved in a collision with Panther forward Garth Arsenault and slid head first into the corner boards, Was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital he tore muscles in his neck, and the injury was not as serious as suspected.
Arsenault returned to the game and played well in the Panther victory.
Saturday night, six Panthers scored as UPEI showed a very balanced attach with all players forechecking superbly and passing very well.
Albert Roche, Danny Revell, Kevin Skilliter, John Pocock, Gordie Roche and Don Clow each scored one for UPEI, while Mark Jeffery scored UNB’s lone goal.
Tony Haladuick played goal for the Panthers, facing 22 UNB shots while Omer Fournier, who is a recent addition to the UNB squad, faced 36 Panther shots.
The two wins give the Panthers first place in the AUAAHC, one point ahead of Moncton Blue Eagles who split their games last week- end. They lost to Dalhousie 4-3 and will probably end up in second place behind the Panthers.
Moncton and UPEI, the top two teams in the East face each other for the third and final time in the regular season tomorrow night in Moncton.
UPEI won their first game while the Blue Eagles de-
feated the Panthers in the
second meeting. The P’s play Saturday
afternoon in Sackville against
the Mount Allison Mounties,
and if they can win just one anther 5P°“5t°ams- clinch first place and home-ice advant- ,afor. la ofis~_..._. a. .
game they’ll
The UPEI men’s basketball team and hockey team have retained their spots in the national rankings after the weekend, and it looks as though both teams have the/ear of the CanadianL Inter-Universtiy Athletic Union to give the school the respec it deserves from the rest of the country. '
The basketball team won two of three games in the past week, rolling over the Mount Allison Mounties last Wednes- day and splitting a couple with the highly defensive Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax on the weekend.
The loss could take pressure off the backs of the players as they head to Wolfville this weekend to take on the Acadial Axemen to try to han' on to first place in the AUAA-BC and the Number One spot, among college teams in Canada.
The Panthers have three games remaining after this weekend playing their final home game of the 84- 85 season next week against Mount Allison and two games at Antigonish, N.S. that weekend against St. Francis Xavier.
The Panthers seem to be playing very well and should play as they are touted — the number one team in Canada to pull five victories out of their magical hats.
The game Friday night against Acadia will be broadcast on The Sports Network and Rumor Hath It the Panther Lounge will be purchasing a decoder so they can show the game on the big T.V. screen. '
The Hockey Panthers beat the UNB Red Devils twice last weekend and have retained their number three-CIAU ranking.
Both games were very rough and, as expected, a couple of ‘ fights broke out between the rival teams.
Norman Beck, left winger for the Hockey Panthers, says the wins meant a lot to the team, as they are trying to get things moving in the proper direction after a disastrous second half start. .
Beck says "the team is playing together now, and all the players are contributing in the games. ‘
Beck thinks the New Brunswick team was tough, and! Coach Don MacAdam of Morel], P.E.I. has his team playing a tight defensive game.
“We wore them down, though, and controlled the finall moments ‘of each game,” said Beck after the 5—4 victory Sunday.
The Panthers wore the UNB Red Devils down by strong forechecking in both games, especially from players Garthw Arsenault, Bob MacDonald, Danny Revell and Gordie‘Roche.
The team is clicking offensively also and the P’s seem to be passing the puck a heck of a lot better, and setting up in their own zone for an attack doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore. I’m not saying it was terrible, but some of the other teams have capitalised on it in the past, resulting'in goals at pivotal times in some games.
The Panthers have a tough game’ tomorrow night in Moncton as they face the Blue Eagles for the third and final time in regular season.
UPEI has one victory over the UdeM squad and will have to play a good defensive game coupled with an explosive offensive attack to beat the Blue Eagles. -
They play Mount Allison Saturday and with a victory over either school, UPEI will clinch first place in the AUAA-HC and will have home-ice advantage for the playoffs.
The UPEI Lady Panthers have a chance to finish in top spot in the AUAA as well — that is, if they beat the defending AUAA basketball champs, the UNB Red Bloomers, tonight at Alumni Gyrhnasium at 7:00 p.m.
‘ If they upset the UNB school, not only will they finish in first place, but they will likely get a ranking in the national poll in Womens’ basketball.
The team is led by senior guard Libby Baldwin and forwards Sherrydawn Jones, Sonia Edwards and her sister, rookie Paula Edwards.
The game will be the last home game for the Lady Panthers, and a win will give the ‘Ladies’ a boost going into the playoffs. Here is my prediction for the team -—.an AUAA title.
Really, the team is very good and have a really good shot at claiming the title. ‘
The UPEI Womens’ volleyball team will be playing in tournament this weekend, as four senior teams will be at Alumni Gymnasium. For those of you who can’t make it to Moncton or Wolfville, try to take in some volleyball.
Just about to the end now! But before 1 put my brians away for another week, the coaches of the teams have to be congratulated on the tremendous effort and time they’ve 9‘" into their jobs this year. Gordie Wilson and his soccer Panthers; the hockey team, both basketball teams, the field hOCkey and volleyball team: all coaches deserve a pat on the back.
Have a happy Valentine’s Day, and I hope you get to 595 he games this weekend as the seasons wind down for the
See you after the break .... .. Remember, Support Panther Sports!
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